NFL briefs

Charlotte, N.C. -- DeShaun Foster joined Carolina's growing list of injured offensive standouts and will be out six to 10 weeks because of a broken collarbone.

The Panthers were fairly injury-free last season en route to the NFC championship, but bumps, bruises and breaks have piled up early this year for the Panthers (1-3).

Receiver Steve Smith is out indefinitely because of a broken leg, top running back Stephen Davis has missed three games following knee surgery, and kick returner Rod Smart, also the No. 3 running back on the roster, is out because of a knee injury.

Dolphin QBs unsettled

Davie, Fla. -- Injuries to Jay Fiedler and A.J. Feeley left Miami's unsettled quarterback situation more muddled than ever. Fiedler was sore after aggravating a rib injury in Sunday's 24-10 loss at New England, and he's unsure whether he'll play when Miami visits Buffalo in a matchup of the NFL's only winless teams. Feeley suffered a concussion on Miami's final offensive play against the Patriots, but he said he felt fine Monday and would be ready against the Bills. Coach Dave Wannstedt said both would be re-evaluated Wednesday, and that Fiedler would start if healthy. If neither Fiedler nor Feeley is available, Sage Rosenfels will make his first NFL start.

49ers' tight end ailing

Santa Clara, Calif. -- San Francisco tight end Eric Johnson, the NFL's receptions leader, has a cracked rib that probably won't prevent him from playing Sunday against the Jets. The 49ers are uncertain when Johnson was injured. He played with what were thought to be bruised ribs in San Francisco's 31-28 overtime victory over Arizona, but a new examination Monday revealed a broken rib that could have occurred last week. Johnson caught 13 passes -- a franchise record for tight ends -- for 162 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers' first win of the season. He has 41 catches for 460 yards and two scores this season, already a career high for the fourth-year pro from Yale.

Bengals' Warrick hobbled

Cincinnati -- The Bengals' Peter Warrick left practice early Monday for more X-rays on his troublesome left shin. The shifty receiver sat out most of the last two games because of the leg injury, originally described as a deep bruise. Warrick rested over the bye weekend and hoped to be back Sunday in Cleveland, but that now appears unlikely. Warrick left the field a few minutes before the end of practice, tossing a football from one hand to the other with his head down and a discouraged look on his face.

Browns rookie Winslow says cast coming off

Berea, Ohio -- Looking over his right shoulder, Kellen Winslow Jr. smoothly backed his motorized scooter down a narrow path and through the open doors of the Browns' locker room.

Nice move. Just not one Winslow planned on making as an NFL rookie.

Winslow, who broke his right leg and tore ligaments on Sept. 19 in Dallas, undergoing two operations, said he should have his cast removed soon and expects to be walking in a few weeks. Winslow is also taking comfort in his father's recovery from a similar injury the Hall of Famer suffered during his rookie season with the Chargers.

"My dad had the same injury his first year and he came back and led the league in receptions the next two years," Winslow said.

The younger Winslow had just five receptions for 50 yards in his first two pro games when he sustained the injury while scrambling for an onside kick in the final seconds. Winslow said he had no regrets that the injury came while he was on special teams.

"You put your best players in there to try and get the ball," Winslow said. "I love rushing the punt. I believe you put the best players out there."